Vidya Balan had bhang without knowing what it was

Actress Vidya Balan’s favourite Holi memory has to do with ‘bhang’ and its side effects.

The “Shaadi Ke Side Effects” actress recounted her Holi memory in a statement.

She said: “(My best memory is) Having bhang without knowing it was bhang and then laughing all day. This was I think when I was 16.”

Vidya, who loves “Rang barse” as the quintessential Holi song and enjoys gorging on Indian sweet ‘Imarti’ on the festival of colours, makes sure she takes care of her hair and skin for the occasion.

“By saying ‘Bura naa maano holi hai’, people have always grabbed the opportunity to drench you in colours. While I absolutely love the festival, one has to be extremely careful of the quality of colours used as it can adversely affect hair and skin.

“The only way that I escape from the after effects of Holi is by massaging a good amount of coconut oil on my hair and skin before I step out to play. This has been my saviour since childhood,” said the National Award winning actress.

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Varun, Alia to perform live for TV show

Actors Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt will be performing live in the upcoming episode of singing reality show “Rising Star”.

As the show is aired live on TV, the “Badrinath Ki Dulhania” stars will be seen shaking a leg without any retakes for the Holi special episode on Sunday.

The show features singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh and singers Shankar Mahedevan and Monali Thakur as experts.

“I have performed in front of a live audience and nothing can beat that feeling; the adrenaline rush, the thumping hearts… It’s a different experience altogether,” Varun said in a statement.

“The show’s live format is truly path breaking. It takes reality television to the next level. And with Diljit, Shankar sir and Monali at the helm of things, what more can one ask for?” Varun added.

While sharing her excitement, Alia said: “I look forward to being on television’s first live format, performing in front of more than 130 crore viewers on a song of their choice, without any scope of cuts and retakes, is pioneering in itself.

“Hoping to experience some amazing talent on ‘Rising Star’ and I get to reunite with Diljit Dosanjh (after ‘Udta Punjab’), so it will be definitely be very exciting.”

Alia will also sing a song from the film, which released on Friday.

Besides Varun and Alia, Mahadevan will also give a performance celebrating Holi, which will be celebrated on Monday.

“Rising Star” is aired on Colors.

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3D projection technology to promote ‘Phillauri’

Given how Shashi, Anushka Sharma’s character in “Phillauri”, is a friendly ghost who can be present anywhere, at any given point of time, the makers have deployed 3D Projection technology in cinemas to make Shashi interact with cine-goers across the country.

Fox Star Studios decided to use 3D Hologram projection — also once used during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election campaign — for “Phillauri”.